Read more about these great players and why they are ones to watch during RLWC2013.

Danny Brough

Scotland’s prospects for Rugby League World Cup 2013 could depend on which country former Bravehearts star Danny Brough chooses to represent.

Brough played for Scotland, the nation of his grandparents’ birth at Rugby League World Cup 2008, but has since also featured for England, most notably in the 2012 International Origin Series.

A player with the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck, Scotland coach Steve McCormack will be hoping Brough can remain injury in free, and, will be keeping his fingers crossed that he opts to play for his side.

Michael Robertson

Robertson is another player returning for a second Rugby League World Cup after representing Scotland in 2008.

An NRL Grand Final winner, Robertson currently plies his trade in the Super League with London Broncos, where he has won many admirers as a strong runner of the ball and as a player with a wealth of tactical knowledge.

Robertson’s impressive try return will put him up there as one of the tournament’s deadliest wingers, and his finishing prowess could be the difference between success and failure for Scotland.

Andrew Henderson

One of Scotland’s most experienced stagers, Henderson is one of three brothers to have represented the Bravehearts at a Rugby League World Cup.

Together with siblings Ian and Kevin, Andrew made a telling contribution to the Scottish cause in Australia five years ago, and, though the eldest of the trio may be the family’s sole representative this time around, there’ll be no shortage of passion from the Sheffield Eagles star.

Henderson’s pace off the mark and low centre of gravity makes him a tough prospect for opposing markers, while his tenacious efforts in defence will also be crucial to Scotland’s hopes of progression.

A Bit of History

‘The Bravehearts’ emerged on the international scene in 1995, when they were defeated 26-22 by Ireland.

The youngest of the British Isles’ constituent Rugby League nations, Scotland has since developed a keen rivalry with their Celtic counterparts, playing eight internationals over the past decade.

But Rugby League’s relationship with Scotland goes way beyond 1995. Two Scottish players featured in the first ever Rugby League test match, played in 1907 between a Northern Union representative XIII and a team of Other Nationalities, George Frater captaining the victorious Other Nationalities.

Rugby League then made its first appearance in Scotland in 1909 when Glasgow’s Celtic Park hosted a game between the Northern Union representative side and a touring Australian side.

Scotland finally progressed to the top level of international competition in 2000 when they made their first appearance at a World Cup. What they lacked in experience they made up for in commitment, losing their games against Ireland, Samoa and Aotearoa Maori all by fewer than 12 points.

In 2008 Scotland returned to the World Cup fray, where they upset Fiji in a surprise 18-16 victory before losing to Tonga in the seventh place play-off game.

The following year, Scotland reached the finals of a European Cup competition involving Lebanon, Ireland, Wales, Serbia and Italy, eventually losing to Wales.

One of Rugby League’s most well-respected coaches, Steve McCormack, will be in charge for 2013.